Tag: 1987 Constitution

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Lacson: Constitution First in Government Response to ICC Charges

Upholding the Constitution must take precedence over all considerations —including loyalty to colleagues — in the government’s response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges against Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson maintained that the Senate’s moral ascendancy remains intact, so long as it adheres to the Charter – particularly the provisions on immunity from arrest under Art. VI, Sec. 11.

“If we violate the law of the land, we have nothing to discuss. We are complying with the provision of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. It is clear that there is immunity from arrest if the penalty is six years and below, and Congress is in session,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Konstitusyon ang Unahin sa Tugon ng Pamahalaan sa mga Kaso ng ICC

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Lacson: Stand on Respecting Local Courts to Uphold Our Legal Processes, Not Shield Senators

What I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in the Constitution, and not Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa or Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who now face charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Monday as he addressed criticisms about his stand that local Philippine courts must be respected in whatever course of action the ICC may take.

“To those who criticize my opinion on the need for a corresponding domestic court order before the ICC warrants of arrest against our fellow senators and others may be implemented, let me be clear: what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, not Senators Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go,” Lacson said on X.

“Despite contrasting legal opinions on the matter, at the proper time, it is only the Supreme Court that will interpret the constitutional provision and legal procedure in this regard,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Paninindigan sa Paggalang sa Local Courts, Para Itaguyod ang Ating Legal na Proseso, Hindi Para Protektahan ang mga Senador

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Ping Lacson: Constitution and Evidence, Not Surveys, to be My Guides as Senator-Judge

The 1987 Constitution and the evidence – and not surveys – will be the guides of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson as one of the senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Lacson emphasized this point in response to recent survey results and surge of social media sentiments, which reflect a wide range of public opinions regarding the impeachment trial.

“I can only speak for myself as a senator-judge in the incoming Senate of the 20th Congress acting as an impeachment court: I will only be guided by the Constitution, particularly Art XI, Sec. 3 that deals with the accountability of public officials first; and second, the evidence that will be presented by the prosecution team of the House of Representatives as well as the rebuttal of the defense team and not what the surveys or opinions and comments of netizens on different social media platforms,” he said.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Saligang Batas at Ebidensya, at Hindi Survey, ang Gabay Ko Bilang Senator-Judge

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Ping Lacson to Fellow Senator-Judges: Behave and Speak Like Judges

Senator-judges in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte must behave and speak like judges, as the public will observe their demeanor during the trial, incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said this means being impartial, only speaking to clarify statements from the defense or prosecution, and not expressing their personal opinions on the case.

“Our demeanor will be observed by the public. We must always bear in mind that we are senator-judges, not members of the defense or prosecution team,” Lacson said in Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson sa Kapwa Senator-Judges: Kumilos at Magsalita na Parang Huwes

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Ping Lacson Raises Concern on Possible ‘Overreach’ in Remanding of Impeachment Case vs VP Duterte

The word “remand” is not included in the 1987 Constitution’s articles involving the accountability of public officers.

On this note, Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday raised his concern on a possible overreach in the interpretation of Article XI, Sec. 3 of the Charter when the Senate impeachment court remanded the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.

“All lawyers should know this legal maxim: ‘Expressio unius est exclusio alterius‘. (What the law does not include, it excludes) The word ‘remand’ is not included in Art XI Section 3 of the1987 Constitution,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Nagpahayag ng Pag-aalala sa Posibleng ‘Overreach’ sa Pag-Remand ng Impeachment Case vs VP Duterte

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